In Memoriam August 2025

As is our tradition, we are taking a look back at the lives of the people we have lost in the past year, continuing with obituaries that appeared in August 2025. For January, see the Dec. 21 edition. For February and March, see Dec. 23. For April and May 2025, see Dec. 30. For June, see the Jan. 3. For July, see Jan. 7.

Joyce Elaine Wilson Beasley

Joyce was born on November 27th, 1953, in Morgantown, West Virginia, to LeRoy and Jean Wilson. In 1960, she moved to Anaconda, MT, and graduated from Anaconda High School in 1971. Joyce’s passion and faithfulness led her to enlist in the United States Army in August 1973. At just 20 years old, she was among the last female soldiers to serve in the Women’s Army Corps, a testament to her strength and determination. During her military service, she met and later married Jerry F. Beasley Sr. on June 14th, 1975. In August 1976, the couple discharged from the Army and returned to Montana. Together, they were blessed with six wonderful children and built a life of deep love, adventure, and loyalty.

Isabel Zenahlik

Isabel married the love of her life, James J. Zenahlik, on December 19, 1959, in Oakland, California.  They lived in California for several years before making their permanent home in Anaconda, Montana. Isabel was a homemaker and full-time mother; she was an active member of the church where she served and sang in the choir.  She enjoyed traveling, singing, thrift shopping, card games, painting, cooking, and especially family.  Her family was her world.

Martin Gerard Connolly

After finding a taste of law school unsatisfying, he began a long and distinguished career as a reporter, beginning with the Lowell Sun in Lowell, Massachusetts. He moved to Colorado, where he was a reporter for the Associated Press and the Rocky Mountain News and then an investigative reporter at the Daily Camera in Boulder from 1981 to 1987. Connolly’s reporting for the Camera revealed the existence of an illegal gift-making operation involving jewelry at a “model shop” at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant in Colorado that cost taxpayers at least $1 million. His stories led to a congressional investigation and to Connolly winning in 1987 the Scripps-Howard National Award for Public Service and the Gold Medal for Investigative Reporting from IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc.). Connolly overcame numerous obstacles in publishing the stories, including eventually leaving the Boulder paper and briefly joining The Miami Herald to conclude his investigation.

David Alan Leach

On the morning of August 1, 2025 David “Dave” A. Leach passed away as one of the victims of the shooting at the Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana. He was 70 years old. 

Dave was born in Whitefish, MT. on April 25, 1955. He was the third son and fourth child of Donald and Helen Leach. Dave attended schools in Whitefish and Columbia Falls, MT.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America.  He was active in sports including; baseball, football, track and basketball. He was coached in Little League by his father Don Leach. Dave’s passion for basketball was developed under High School coach Ralph Johnson.  He was a 3-year letterman at Colombia Falls High School for basketball and also lettered in football and track. He graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1973.

Daniel Edwin Baillie

Daniel Edwin Baillie, born Sept. 15, 1965, died Aug. 1, 2025. Dan died with a longtime good friend, Tony Palm. 

Dan was born in Wallace, Idaho. He attended school in Mullen, Idaho and went to mechanical classes in Spokane, Washington. He is survived by his mother Barbara, brother Robert, two sons, Daniel and Kelly, and his favorite aunt, Margie.

Tony Wayne Palm

Tony Wayne Palm, 74, of Anaconda, passed away on August 1, 2025.

Tony was born in Anaconda in February 1951 to Orlano and Phyllis Palm. A true hometown man, he loved Montana and especially his community of Anaconda. While he would occasionally travel to visit family, he never went far or stayed away for long. His deep love for the outdoors was part of his tie to this community, and his family and friends will forever cherish memories of hiking, fishing, and camping with him. They’ll also remember taking scenic drives with Tony to watch the beautiful sunsets at Georgetown Lake. Tony had a lifelong passion for cars, trucks, and motorcycles and could repair just about anything. He loved working on projects and was always ready to lend a hand to a friend or family member in need of a fix. He spent most of his career building and repairing things, from construction and roadway maintenance to his final job of maintaining the historic buildings at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site.

Nancy Kelley

It is with profound sadness and disbelief that we announce the unexpected, unnecessary and tragic passing of Nancy Kelley. She was sadly taken from us and heaven gained a special angel on August 1, 2025.

Nancy was born in Anaconda, MT on January 28, 1961 to Mel and Ruth Holm Meidl. She attended school in Anaconda and graduated from Anaconda High School with the “Great Class of 1979”. She then went on to study at MSU and U of M where she earned a degree in nursing. Nancy worked in the nursing field for over 30 years, touching so many lives. She spent the majority of this profession in ICU, but ended her career as an oncology nurse. Her smile, empathy, compassion and respect for her patients made chemo and treatments much easier for her patients and their families. Nancy provided not just technical care, but comfort and reassurance, making every person she cared for feel seen, valued and safe.Upon retiring from nursing, Nancy became a bartender at “The Owl Bar” because she loved to socialize and be with people. Nancy married Don Kelley on August 2, 1991 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Anaconda, MT. Her marriage to Don blessed her with one daughter, Kristian Kelley. Nancy and Don lived a loving and adventurous life, making many friends who became family along the way, until Don’s passing in 2018.

Alida Esther Chiddix

On August 6, 2025 ​Alida Esther Chiddix passed on to join her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and was soon to be a great grandmother. She will be sorely missed by her family and all that knew her.

Rhonda Elizabeth “Roni” Mann

Roni was born on March 1,1969  in Driggs, Idaho, to parents Connie Cropsey and Eugene Mann. She grew up in Casper, Wyoming, and graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in 1986. In her early adult years, she relocated to Montana, a place that would become her lifelong home. She went on to attend Montana Tech’s School of Nursing, earning her certificate as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) while raising six children as a single mother—an incredible accomplishment that reflected her strength and resilience. Throughout her nursing career, Roni cared for countless patients with compassion and dedication, particularly in her years as a home health nurse. Of all her roles, she especially cherished her time working at Anaconda Pediatrics, a position that brought her great joy and connection.

Renon ‘Nonnie’ Mary Puyear, formerly Henderson (née Jorgensen)

Nonnie was first married to her soulmate, Earl Henderson, with whom she shared a vibrant and loving life. Together, they welcomed five children;  twins Dan and Darlene, Charlotte, Lori and Sharon.  Grandchildren 12, and Great grandchildren 10.  Her son Daniel preceded her in death on November 19, 2024. After Earl’s passing, Nonnie remarried James Puyear in 2007 and was again widowed in 2014. Her life was a testament to selflessness and service. Nonnie’s journey took her across borders and into communities where she made a lasting impact. She served as a lay minister at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and lived and worked in the remote Indigenous community of Janvier, Alberta, where her compassion and dedication touched many lives.

Joseph Francis Prosenick, Jr.

Joe attended Anaconda High School before serving his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, where he was wounded in combat. For his courage and sacrifice, he was awarded the Purple Heart — an honor he carried with humility throughout his life. Before entering the military, Joe began working as a bellhop at the Marcus Daly Hotel. After his service, he dedicated his career to the Anaconda Company/Atlantic Richfield, where he held many positions until retiring at the age of 55. He was proud of his work ethic and the stability it provided his growing family.

Gloria Forward

Gloria started school in Eckman, ND, then in the spring of 1957, along with her family, they relocated to Anaconda, Montana where she later married Clancy Forward. Together they had four children. Gloria’s first job was at a café in Armstead, MT. She spent many years working in cafés around Montana and later as a dietitian at the Community Nursing Home until she retired. In her free time, Gloria was an amazing baker, known for creating beautiful cakes for weddings, birthdays, and special occasions. She always looked forward to spending time with family at the annual holiday gatherings and on special occasions where her presence will be deeply missed. Gloria built a life centered around family, kindness, and quiet strength. She will be remembered for her warmth and gentle spirit.

Teresa Marie Stroh Bradley

Teresa was born Aug. 24, 1974 in Anaconda, Deer Lodge County, Montana, the daughter of Michael Lynn and Karen Griswold Stroh. She married James Allen Bradley on 8/24/1994 at Livermore, CA. They were happily married for 31 years. She is survived by her parents, her husband James: two sons, Jeremy Michael Bradley and Kyle Mathew Bradley.

John Michael Jurcich (Ivane III)

John was awarded the “Angel Award” from the state of Montana for saving a girl, who had been kidnapped in Billings, and brought to Butte, where she jumped from a moving car on Harrison Ave. John witnessed the scene and immediately picked up the girl, then saw two men running his way, so he put the girl in his car, took her to work with him, and called the police. John loved being outdoors, especially spending time on the weekends and the many picnics at Nasa Vekendica, the long-time family camp at Silver Lake. He was proud of his Croatian heritage, especially his name “Ivane III”. He also loved car shows and always wished he could have his own car to put in a car show.

Emily Adeline (Rouse) Lopez

Born on July 29, 1931, Emily was educated at Beaver Dam School in Opportunity, Montana, and later graduated from Anaconda High School in Anaconda, Montana. She proudly served her country in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1952. Emily dedicated herself to raising seven children as a full-time homemaker. Even amidst the demands of motherhood, she pursued work with determination and joy-selling Avon, Tupperware, and Crystal wares with such success that she earned a prize trip to England. Later, she worked for many years at office supply stores. The last one was Burkett’s office supply where her exceptional sales performance won her a trip to Hawaii.